Lesley Cherry

Lesley Cherry


Lesley Cherry’s practice draws on issues raised through domestic settings, nostalgia, memory, language and class.  She is currently developing these elements through video and installation, text and paper, exploring the tension and hypocrisy of nostalgia and memory, juxtaposed with the reality of a situation remembered.  There is a humour to her work, which often masks the more serious issues being addressed, entwined with elements of performance and drama. Her strong socially engaged practice, informs her work, often being influenced by the real life stories she encounters through this work.

Biography

Cherry studied at the University of Ulster, Belfast gaining her BA Hons in Fine & Applied Art and graduated from the Master of Fine Art course in 2011.  She received the ARCH Development Residency, Washington DC, in 2012 and was awarded the ACNI Artists Career Enhancement prize in 2013/14. She was invited to present at the Engage Summer School Residency in Padua, Italy in 2013 and was a guest of the Ernő Tolvaly Artists Residency, Hungary, in August 2014. Her work has been shown widely throughout Ireland including The Golden Thread Galley, Belfast, VOID Derry, Artslink, Buncrana and Sligo Art Centre. 

Cherry is an experienced socially engaged artist, working extensively with contentious community groups throughout Northern Ireland. She managed the North Down Borough Councils Art of Regeneration Project from 2005-2009 and has contributed as an artist and strategist for Draw Down The Walls, the ACNI Re-imaging Projects and Housing Executive public realm schemes, using art as a catalyst to address issues of removing and discussing interface and peace walls within Belfast. Her recently redesigned public realm artworks for the Woodvale area of Belfast, will be completed in autumn 2019.

Cherry has also worked extensively with older people using art, music and photography on several projects in partnership with The Oh Yeah Music Centre, Over The Hill, Prime Cut Productions and The Golden Thread Gallery.

She is currently Arts Engagement Officer at Causeway Coast and Glens Council and maintains her studio in Flax.

lesleycherry1@hotmail.com

lesleycherry.wordpress.com